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Review Date: 8/21/2007
"A fascinating story about how Robert Louis Stevenson made the long and often dangerous railway journey west in 1879. But it's much more than that -- it tells of an important part of American history and manages to be both informative and interesting. Reads like a novel. Although supposedly for young readers, this is perfectly suitable for adults as well! Lots of great photos, too."
Review Date: 12/25/2008
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I don't think I would have managed to get through the printed version of this book but the audio version made the story far more accessible. In fact, it was downright charming and very funny at times. Bronte's description of the self-centered "upper crust" people the protagonist worked seemed -- as the British say -- "spot on." Granted, the romantic plot seems trite and overwrought by today's standards (don't they all?). You feel like just screaming at everyone to "For heaven's sake -- just TELL him how you feel!!!" But they just didn't do that back then.
Anyway, the story is nice and the narrator was terrific. If, like me, you'd like to expose yourself to more of the classics, audio books are the way to go."
Anyway, the story is nice and the narrator was terrific. If, like me, you'd like to expose yourself to more of the classics, audio books are the way to go."
Review Date: 12/26/2007
"I loved Morgan's first two entries in this hilarious series but I was disappointed with this one. The humor seemed forced and the plot was muddled with too many characters. Also, the "bawdiness" didn't work for me and the gruesome murder half way through (I won't tell you WHO!) was enough for me to give up on the book altogether.
By the way, this book is VERY hard to find in the US. I had to order mine from a bookstore in Britain!"
By the way, this book is VERY hard to find in the US. I had to order mine from a bookstore in Britain!"
Review Date: 7/28/2007
"This is a wonderful reading of several American classics, including two by Poe, two by O. Henry, and one each by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Each is narrated more like a single-voice radio dramatization, complete with background music, than a regular straight forward reading. My favorite was The Yellow Wallpaper by Gilman. Although I was already familiar with the tale, it was absolutely mezmerizing. Two thumbs way up for this collection!"
Review Date: 4/3/2012
"This is a marvelous novel, with three-dimensional characters and great use of language.
Don't let the fact that it takes place on an all-woman world prejudice you against (or for) this book. The lack of men isn't the focus and the women are as varied as any dual-gender population can be!
I'm not sure if it was the author's intention but for me, the story was really about the search for one's authentic self. I'm reaching an age (63 this year) where I'm like Marghe and Danner -- journeying into a new and strange world, wondering who I really am, searching for my true name, and nature. It was a delight to follow Marghe, Danner and the others as they found their place."
Don't let the fact that it takes place on an all-woman world prejudice you against (or for) this book. The lack of men isn't the focus and the women are as varied as any dual-gender population can be!
I'm not sure if it was the author's intention but for me, the story was really about the search for one's authentic self. I'm reaching an age (63 this year) where I'm like Marghe and Danner -- journeying into a new and strange world, wondering who I really am, searching for my true name, and nature. It was a delight to follow Marghe, Danner and the others as they found their place."
Review Date: 3/2/2008
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
"An extremely interesting and inspiring book that provides many of the Dalai Lama's insights into what it takes to be happy in today's world. The excerpts of interviews with His Holiness are read by Ernest Abuda (since the Dalai Lama's English is sometimes hard to understand). They're woven together into a whole by Howard Cutler, and MD who, to be perfectly honest, doesn't add a heck of a lot to the book. Although there are many references to the Buddhist teachings, the Dalai Lama stresses that the basic "techniques" can be used by all people, of any religion or no religion."
Review Date: 3/24/2006
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"A good, easy to understand primer on various aspects of astrology and how to interpret your chart."
Review Date: 9/6/2008
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
"This is actually the author's story of his grandfather but it reads like a novel, full of some wonderfully interesting and "real" characters. It's more than just the story of this one man, though. It's the story of all of the working class poor in the south during the depression and beyond. Tt's the story of my dad who worked the cotton fields in rural Texas growing up before the war, and of all families everywhere who struggled to make it through hard times. It'll make you laugh, and cry, and wish our families today had more of that elusive "something" that is so lacking in modern society. Thank you, Rick Bragg, for this incredible book!"
Review Date: 4/3/2007
"A delightful (though slim) volume about the growing and use of these three herbs. Neat photos."
Review Date: 10/10/2007
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I hesitated to read this book since I've found some of Eco's previous books to be a bit difficult to understand. But this one was extremely entertaining (except for a short period in which he gets into heavy theological discussion which verges on sermonizing). But most of the book is the interesting and often hilarious telling of the adventures of a young man named "Baudolino" who goes on a quest for the Holy Grail.
Having the book read by the talented George Guidall (one of the best narrators in the business) was a big help and the entire book, although long (19 hrs!) went quickly. In some ways, I didn't want the adventures to end.
I'm sure literary critics will discover and discuss all sorts of hidden meanings and symbolism that I missed. Who cares? I had fun reading it and consider it 19 hours very well spent!"
Having the book read by the talented George Guidall (one of the best narrators in the business) was a big help and the entire book, although long (19 hrs!) went quickly. In some ways, I didn't want the adventures to end.
I'm sure literary critics will discover and discuss all sorts of hidden meanings and symbolism that I missed. Who cares? I had fun reading it and consider it 19 hours very well spent!"
Review Date: 8/5/2006
"This is NOT a "hot to bead" book as such (although it does have a few projects, etc), but actually a book about creativity. It is more a "self help" book using beads as the central symbol. For instance, one page has an illustration with the words: Beads have holes for when we're in the middle. Beads remind us that each season has its own color and purpose.
Frankly, I found the illustrations crude but that's part of the book's charm, I guess. Beaders seem to love this book, although as a non-bead person, I'm not sure why!"
Frankly, I found the illustrations crude but that's part of the book's charm, I guess. Beaders seem to love this book, although as a non-bead person, I'm not sure why!"
Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder (Benjamin Franklin Mystery, Bk. 2)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
13
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
13
Review Date: 1/20/2007
"Not awful, but he's trying to hard to sound authentically 18th century and it comes out a bit stilted."
Review Date: 5/15/2006
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"An absolutely fascinating book about a young couple's "experiment" at living without any technology (including electricity) for 18 months in an Amish/Menninite type community.
It's partly about the way this type of community lives, partly about the often funny experience of a city couple in the country, and partly about how we have become overly dependent on technology.
He makes clear the absurdity of working more hours so we can afford a "time saving" device."
It's partly about the way this type of community lives, partly about the often funny experience of a city couple in the country, and partly about how we have become overly dependent on technology.
He makes clear the absurdity of working more hours so we can afford a "time saving" device."
Review Date: 3/24/2006
"The spiritual/healing path comes complete with its pitfalls and pratfalls, its pity parties and power trips, its puns and poetry, its problems and paradoxes. Dr. Stew experiences them all on his journey from his head to his heart, and shares them with wit and wisdom, inspiration and irreverence. This warm and honest travelogue will be an inspiration to anyone who knows their thoughts often get in the way of their dreams. Dr. Stew lives his dream inside and outside his chiropractic practice. The principles of Life are the beacon on his long, strange trip, and are the thread that holds it all together. Barely. . .
Funny and touching, and very real! Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com."
Funny and touching, and very real! Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com."
Review Date: 7/14/2006
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Another enjoyable entry in Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series. Combines an interesting mystery with great characterizations and a detailed sense of time (post WWI) and place (Britain)."
Review Date: 8/10/2008
"UNABRIDGED, 18 HOURS
I almost gave up on this book because I found the beginning too slow and convoluted, but I stuck with it and by the end, I couldn't stop listening to it.
Yes, there are times that Atwood is too in love with her own words and goes on and on, over-stuffing the prose with far too many similes. I doubt if I would have READ the print version, but the narrator did such a marvelous job that I enjoyed just listening to her read, and appreciated most of Atwood's language.
The story itself is interesting, with stories within stories and several well developed characters, with an ending that may or may not surprise you, but is very satisfying.
By the way, ignore the "tags" someone put on this book that describe the box and the tapes. Some people still don't understand that those comments don't necessarily apply to the book being offered!"
I almost gave up on this book because I found the beginning too slow and convoluted, but I stuck with it and by the end, I couldn't stop listening to it.
Yes, there are times that Atwood is too in love with her own words and goes on and on, over-stuffing the prose with far too many similes. I doubt if I would have READ the print version, but the narrator did such a marvelous job that I enjoyed just listening to her read, and appreciated most of Atwood's language.
The story itself is interesting, with stories within stories and several well developed characters, with an ending that may or may not surprise you, but is very satisfying.
By the way, ignore the "tags" someone put on this book that describe the box and the tapes. Some people still don't understand that those comments don't necessarily apply to the book being offered!"
Review Date: 5/19/2006
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
"The first half of this book is excellent ... a fascinating look at the way we think, make decisions, and process our unconscious thoughts. But it gets bogged down about midway, with examples that are way too long and complicated. It's almost as if he said what he wanted to say in the beginning, then had to pad the book in order to make it long enough. Still, worth reading even if you don't make it all the way through."
Review Date: 12/11/2007
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I have mixed feelings about this book. It is well written, and surely well intentioned, but because of a lack of extensive source material, is filled with speculation rather than solid facts. Also, while it's extremely interesting in some respects, there is a lack of joy or humor which makes the book ultimately depressing. Still, it provides many fascinating glimpses into the "adventure" of Helga Estby and her daughter, as well as America of that age."
Review Date: 6/4/2006
"The author takes an extended trip around France, interviewing various people involved in the baking of French bread ... from the person who grows the wheat to the bakers themselves. It was fairly interesting although some of it got a bit too detailed for my taste. Still, when you're writing about baking fresh bread, you can't go too far wrong, can you?!"
Buck Up, Suck Up . . . and Come Back When You Foul Up : 12 Winning Secrets from the War Room
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
4
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
4
Review Date: 9/17/2006
"A fantastic book of campaign advice that can apply to many business situations. Doesn't matter what your political leanings are -- recommended by Newt Gingrich AND Bill Clinton!"
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